PAPILLION, NEBRASKA – The CCHA took a slight break in conference play this weekend with as nine teams would take a break to play in Holiday tournaments and six would continue their conference schedule. Ferris State would take the holiday weekend off all together not playing in conference or a tournament.
Lake Superior State at 59th Annual Holiday Classic in Troy, New York
Troy, New York – The Lakers spent Thanksgiving weekend in the 59th Annual Holiday Classic. Host RPI would finish second to Union who would defeat Lake Superior State in the opening game 1-0 needing the shoot out to emerge victorious. After the defeat to the Dutchmen, the Lakers would play in the third/fourth place consolation game against Bentley. Bentley lost to host RPI 5-2 in the opening game and would then defeat Lake Superior State via the shoot out. The Lakers would finish the tournament with two overtime losses by way of the shoot out. Lake Superior State managed two goals all weekend and managed to allow two goals all weekend as well thanks to the incredible net minding skills of Brian Mahoney-Wilson.
Michigan St. and Michigan at the College Hockey Showcase in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan – The Wolverines swept the College Hockey Showcase for the sixth time in program history. Michigan began play with a 6-0 win verse the Minnesota Gophers and finished the tournament defeating the Wisconsin Badgers 3-2. Michigan played well all weekend firing on all cylinders of play.
While in state rival Michigan cruised to victory, Michigan St. had a little harder to this weekend. Wisconsin opened the weekend defeating State 7-3. Michigan St. entered Saturday’s contest looking to avoid a three-game losing streak, and finishing last in the Showcase. Minnesota however, would have other plans. The Golden Gophers looked to regain their composure after a staggering defeat by the Wolverines, and they would do so defeating the Spartans 2-1. With that loss, Michigan St. is now 9-5-2 on the season and has lost three straight.
Ohio State and Miami at Subway Holiday Classic in Grand Forks, North Dakota
Ohio State has struggled on the road this season and this weekend would continue to show it. The Fighting Sioux continued to play solid hockey this season defeating the Buckeyes 4-1 on Friday night. The Sioux dominated Ohio State never allowing the Buckeyes to post double-digit shots on goal all night. After Saturday’s miserable defeat, Ohio State would need to rebound and find that elusive road win. Bemidji State offered Ohio State what they needed in a unyielding opponent. With a 2-1 overtime victory, the Buckeyes found their first road victory of the season and finished third in the tournament. Miami entered the weekend as the number one team in the country.
The RedHawks however would not fair greatly in tournament play against non-conference foe Bemidji State. The Beavers continued their trend of upsetting top seeded CCHA schools dropping Miami 3-2. Bemidji would paint the RedHawks into a corner with their consistent play. Miami would face #4 North Dakota on Saturday to begin to right their ship after losing to #6 Bemidji State. Once again heading into the third period, the RedHawks found themselves short. However this evening would offer a new result as Miami would be able to tie the Sioux 5-5 to close out the tournament.
Northern Michigan at Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska – Alaska used a pair of shoot outs to gain the extra point after tying the Wildcats 3-3 on Friday night and 4-4 on Saturday night. The 12th ranked Nanooks received three goals from former Fargo Force forward Andy Taranto. The Downers Grove, Illinois Freshman logged his fifth and sixth goals of the season Friday night and his seventh goal Saturday night fiving him 18 team leading points on the season.
Western Michigan at Nebraska-Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska – The Mavericks continued their redevelopment under head coach Dean Blais this weekend sweeping conference cellar dweller Western Michigan. The Broncos managed a total of 36 shots on goal this weekend, with only ten of those coming Friday night and the remaining 26 coming Saturday evening. Alex Hudson scored twice on Saturday evening to lead the Mavericks in the sweep over Western Michigan.
Bowling Green at Notre Dame
South Bend, Indiana – The Falcons used the shoot out to avoid the sweep at the Joyce Center Saturday evening after forcing the Irish to two straight overtime games. Fighting Irish junior Ian Cole scored in overtime on Friday night to sink the Falcons. The goal is the Ann Arbor natives first of this season. Cole re-enrolled at Notre Dame this fall after spending the summer contemplating turning to the NHL with the Blues. The Irish are currently ranked 14th this season with a record of 7-5-4.
Schedule Results:
November 27, 2009
Lake Superior 0 vs Union 0 OT
Miami 2 vs Bemidji State 3
Wisconsin 7 at Michigan State 3
Minnesota 0 at Michigan 6
Northern Michigan 3 at Alaska 3 OT
Bowling Green 1 at Notre Dame 2 OT
Western Michigan 3 at Nebraska-Omaha 4
Ohio State 1 at North Dakota 4
November 28, 2009
Lake Superior 2 vs Bentley 2 OT
Ohio State 2 vs Bemidji State 1 OT
Minnesota 2 at Michigan State 1
Bowling Green 4 at Notre Dame 4 OT
Western Michigan 2 at Nebraska-Omaha 4
Wisconsin 2 at Michigan 3
Northern Michigan 4 at Alaska 4 OT
Miami 5 at North Dakota 5 OT
Upcoming Series:
Lake Superior St at Bowling Green
Nebraska-Omaha at Ferris State
Notre Dame at Miami
Alaska at Western Michigan
Michigan St at Northern Michigan
Michigan at Ohio State
Players of the Week:
Offensive Player: Greger Hanson, Northern Michigan
Defensive Player: Steve Kampfer, Michigan
Goalie: Bryan Hogan, Michigan
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